Graduation Gifts They Can Actually Use

Ah, graduation season—that magical time of year when high school seniors end one of the most memorable and exciting chapters of their lives . . . only to begin another that promises to be even more so. It’s the time when college seniors open the door to a brand new world (or choose to enroll in a graduate program once they realize that the real world is a terrifying place full of responsibility and heightened expectations). It marks the end of a journey—one that was certainly not always easy. So how do you show your grad how proud you are? What kind of graduation gifts should you consider?

Playing It Practical: Graduation Gifts For High School And College Grads

While graduation gifts should definitely celebrate your grad’s accomplishment, the best presents are the ones that will actually be used. And, in this instance, the best kind of gift is one that helps prepare them for the next step, regardless of what that step will be. Whether they intend to further their education or begin a career, students often find themselves unprepared for that next mountain to climb. So let’s help!

High School Graduation Gifts: Think College Prep

For many graduating high school seniors, walking across the stage to pick up their diploma just kicks off the three months they have to prepare for college life. So when you’re picking a high school graduation gift, why not help them along with their college prep? When it comes to dorm room decorating ideas, you really can’t go wrong with storage furniture. Your college student is going to need all the storage she can get, so organizers, bookshelves, and other storage solutions are always going to be great gifts. And if you’re worried about her diet (and you want to make sure she doesn’t survive solely on ramen noodles), try to find cookbooks with simple recipes—particularly microwave-friendly ones. A good travel mug will help with the increased daily caffeine intake. Other comforts of home (like towels, bedding, laundry hampers, toiletries, etc) also make great gifts because they are often taken for granted. When in doubt, go with cash; he’s probably going to ask for it anyway, so you might as well get used to handing it out.

College Graduation Gifts: Life In The Real World

With a college graduate, the gift ideas change a bit. Unless the graduate is preparing to head into grad school, a practical college graduation gift should be one that prepares her for life outside the world of academia. And you know what that means: a career. Help him get that job with a nice outfit for job interviews. You could also opt for a briefcase or sleek, leather messenger bag to replace his old, faithful (and likely tattered by this point) backpack. Once your grad gets a job and a bit of stable income, she’s probably going to get a place of her own if she didn’t have one already. Help her decorate her walls with a nice frame for her college diploma. If she has her own style, you can still help her out with her home decor by supplying her with gift cards to her favorite home decor store. And, as with high school graduates, the easiest gift to give—cash—will probably also be the most appreciated. After all, those student loans generally don’t repay themselves.

Graduation Day is certainly an accomplishment worth celebrating. But don’t forget that there’s always a next step afterward. And it might be that the best gift you can give to your graduate is to help them prepare for what is coming next.